Sunderland AFC news: Cats close in on Dame N'Doye, as Swansea are linked with Jermain Defoe

Chris Young

Sunderland are closing in on ex-Hull City striker Dame N'Doye on a loan deal until the end of the season.

Reports in Turkey emerged late last week that N'Doye could be on his way to the Stadium of Light and the 30-year-old is understood to be a genuine target in the Black Cats' sights.

N'Doye is expected on Wearside to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms with Sunderland, with Turkish side Trabonzspor ready to let the frontman leave on loan.

Sam Allardyce has been eager to add to his striking options in the January transfer window and N'Doye has proved his goalscoring credentials in the Premier League after netting five goals in 15 appearances for Hull in the second half of last season.

After Hull's relegation in May, N'Doye joined Trabzonspor in a £2.2million deal, with the reservations at the KC Stadium over his temperament, rather than his ability.

N'Doye is expected to take the place of Blackburn target Danny Graham in Allardyce's striker options, even though Swansea are the latest side to be linked with Jermain Defoe.

Allardyce has made Sunderland's position crystal clear over Defoe, the subject of persistent speculation over a move away from the Stadium of Light over the last six months.

The Sunderland boss has branded reports that the Black Cats are ready to let Defoe leave as "complete rubbish" and says the 33-year-old will only go during the January transfer window if a bid is received that is too big to turn down.

But there were fresh reports today that fellow strugglers Swansea are interested in Defoe and could be ready to swap fellow frontman Bafetimbi Gomis for the England international.

Sunderland have not received any formal bids for Defoe though, with Bournemouth heavily tipped to move for the ex-Spurs man.

Meanwhile, Sunderland, along with West Ham and Bournemouth, have been linked with Feyenoord midfielder Tonny Vilhena.

The Dutch Under-21 international has turned down the offer of a new contract at Feyenoord and has previously attracted the interest of Southampton.